Fan attachment for machines



jail. 17, 1939.

FAN ATTACHMENT FOR MACHINES Filed Sept. 30, 1937 y f 4 5 6 J .5 z 22 4 INVENTOR. JOHNWCALLAGHAN ATTORN21%1 J. w. CALLAGHAN 2,144,326

Patented Jan. 17, i 1

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FAN ATTACHMENT Fort MACHINES John w. Callaghan, Eimsford, N. Y. Application September so, 1937, Serial No. 166,498

14 Claims. (Cl. 230-241) This invention relates to. machines for perair controlling. member of the device of Figs. 1 forming certain operations upon articles, such and 2;

as sewing machines, cutting machines, and the Fig. 4 is a sectional side elevational view of like, and is particularly applicable tofsewihg the air controlling member of Fig. 3, taken on 5 machines. the line 4-4 of that figure; and 5 One of the objects of the invention is to -bro- Fig. 5 is a side elevational view, partly in secvide an attachment for a machine whereby the tion, of a portion of a machine with a modified movement of the machine will cause a' chrrent form of .the invention applied thereto. of air to be directed towards the operator of the Referring now more specifically to Figs. 1 and machine. 2 of the drawing, the invention has been shown 10 Another object of the invention is to provide appli to a s win machine II f nv n i l an air blowing attachment for a machine which design, having a main s pp p t a will cause a current of air to be directed towards ta y extending arm a head l3 the operator while the machineis operating and at the d of t 'arm for supp n t v r is also cause a stream of air, to be directed across cally r c p ocat Spindle carrying the eedl the working area of the machine. 7 r 85 at the lower end thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide In the Conventional Sewing machine a d v an attachment. for a, m chine whi h ill di t,- shaft protrudes from the end of the machine ada current of air towards the operator of the ma- J' e e main supporting up and Carrieszo chine and which is provided with means for ada fl and p y' t e dr be In justing the amount of air delivered to th opthe form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 erator. and 2, this fly-wheel is replaced by a. combined Still another object of the invention is to profiyand fall 15 having a rim a hub vide an air circulating device for machines which and p y of curved air deflecting ad may be readily applied to the machine without or vanes 49 mounted between the hub and the 25 altering the structure thereof. rim and attached to both in any desired manner,

Still another object'of the invention is to proas by be n cast int ral th rewi h- Th wheel vide an air circulating attachment for machines y be d 119011 the Shaft 20 y means of tWO Whiuh may be easily attached to the machin set screws 20 and the large headed screw 2!.

, 0 without materially changing the parts there f, The fan wheel I6 is shown partly in section in and by mealns of whicha stream of air may be Fig. 1 to illustrate a Dl Shape Of e i directed across the working area and at the deflecting vanes- However, any Suitable Shape same time a current of air may be directed arrangement of fall b1ade y be use if against the operator. 4 desired, as long as they force a" current of air Still another object of the invention is to prothrough the Wh as it rotates 5 vide an attachment for a sewing machine by The blades are arranged a Such an angle t a means of which a current of air may bedirected w n the machine is in operation, W t the D- towards the operator when the machine is in erator sitting in front of the machine and to the motion. left of the wheel, the air is drawn through the Another object of the invention is to provide wh l and w s the operator. t us e p 40 a device which may be easily applied to a sewthe air in circulation and greatly increasing the ing machine for producing a continuous stream comfort of the Operatorof air across the working area thereof. The combined fly-wheel and fan just described Other objects of the invention and objects reha additional advantages to be expl in later, lating to the method of manufacturing and asbut the result desired above may also be produced 45 sembling the various arts will be apparent as y n entirely separate f wn in Fig. 5

the'description of the invention proceeds. directly attached as an auxiliary member to the The invention has been illustrated in the acregular y- 3- s fan y be ade of companying drawing, in which: sheet metal, plastic material, heavy fabric, rub- Fig. 1 is a planview of a sewing machine with other Suitable material, if desired. d one embodiment of my invention attached therey comprise a flat cylindrical rim 24 and a flat to: central disc 25, while a plurality of air deflecting Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine vanes or blades 26 may be mounted between the of Fig. l; disc and the rim. The central disc 25 may have 55 Fig. 3 is an end view, partly in section, of the a hole in the center thereof so-that the fan may may be secured tightly around the bearing and be slipped over the end of the shaft when the end screw 21 is removed, and secured in place upon the shaft in addition to the fiy-wheel already there by replacing the screw. The vanes of the wheel may be so shaped that air is forced through the wheel in thedirection of the operator, as in the case of the modification already described. The flat rim may act as a guard to prevent damage to the operator's fingers or hands in cue they come in contact with the wheel. If desired, an additional guard may be provided to surround the fan.

Not only does the air move in the direction of the operator, but it blows across the working surface of the machine as well. However, in many instances it may be desirable to produce a more powerful stream of air across the area in which the needle is operating, so as to maintain the needle cool and prevent the thread from scorching, especially where the work is heavy and the speed of the machineis high. In order to accomplish this purpose I prefer to use the combinedfiy-wheel and fan iii of Fig. land in addition an air controlling member 28, comprising a disc 29 (Fig. 3) provided with a central opening 30 large enough to fit over the bearing 3| at the right hand end of the machine. The controlling member may be held in place on the bearing by means of a clamp band 32 which may be secured to the disc in any desired manner, as by welding, at several places adjacent the central hole, and which may be provided with a clamping bolt 33 by means of which the band adapted to conform to the shape of the opening 34 and the edges of which may be welded, or otherwise attached, to the disc 29, so that it is integral with the disc and the disc forms a rigid support for the tubular member.

The tubular member 35 may be so proportioned that it will occupy the space between the upright ll of the machine and the wheel l5 and conform to the rear and side contour of the upright. It may also taper considerably away from the disc until it reaches a point 38 where it may join a small tube 31 of any suitable material which may pass along the horizontal arm l2 to which it may be attached, if desired, by

means of a small clip 38 held against the arm the disc will prevent air from passing through the wheel unless a suitable openingis provided to let the air pass through. Such a suitable opening is the opening 34 which leads into the tubular member35, and hence air is forced into the tubular member 35 and out the lower end of the current of air is continuous as long as the machine is operating and not intermitent as is the case when an air pump is operated by the reciprocating needle holding member.

The air controlling member 23 may be provided with another opening 39 which may be located on the'opposlte side from the tubular member 35 so that it comes in front of the machine. Air, forced by the fan wheel i6 through this opening, blows in the direction of the operator, thus making the operation of the machine morecomfortable for him in hot weather. The amount of air flowing through this opening may be adjusted by providing a plurality of, shutters III which may be mountedto rotate around the center of the disc to open and close the opening 39.

One way in which the shutters may be conveniently arranged for such rotation is to provide the disc 29 with an inwardly turned narrow flange I, attached to the disc at the outer circumference and with the inner edge spaced sumciently from the disc to permit the outer edges of the shutters to slide easily between the disc.

and the flange. In like manner I may provide the edge of the central opening 30 with an outwardly turned flange 42, the outer edge of which may be" spaced from the disc sufliciently to slidably receive the inner edges of the two shutter members 40. Suitable fingergrips 43 may be provided on the surface of the shutter members away from the fan wheel to permit the operator to'move the shutter members with his fingers to adjust them to'give the desired amount of air. Friction between the shutter members and the disc and flanges will hold the former in any desired position.

From the above description it will be evident that I have provided a fan attachment for a machine, such as a sewing machine, by means of which a current of air may be directed towards the operator and across the work area of. the machine while the machine is in motion. A more elaborate form of the invention provides an additional controlling device by means of which a more powerful stream of air may be directed across the working area while the machine is operating, to blow ravellings and other undesirable matter away from the work surface and to cool the needle, thus preventing the temperature thereof from rising to such a point at which it might tend to scorch the thread and at which the temper thereof might be destroyed.

The device has been illustrated with a sewing machine and is particularly adapted for use with a sewing machine, theattachment being designed to substantially fit any model or make of machine. However, the invention is also adapted for use with other machines, such as cutting machines, button-hole machines, or any other machines using needles or other reciprocating tools, and may be as easily attached as long as the machine has a fiy-wheel to which the fan of Fig. 5 maybe secured or which may be replaced by the-combined fan and fly-wheel and the additional controlling device of Figs. 1 and 2.

Modifications of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and I do not desire to limit myself to what has been shown and described except by the limitations included in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine for performing an operation upon an article, a rotatable shaft for driving said machine, a' fly-whee1 mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith, means attached to said fly-wheel to cause a current of air to pass through said fly-wheel when said fly-wheel is tated, and means to direct a portion of the air passing through said fiy-wheel across the work-' ing area of said machine.

3. In a machine for performing an operation upon an article," a rotatable shaft for driving said machine, a fly-wheel mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith, means cooperating with said fly-wheel for causing a current of air to pass through said fly-wheel when said flywheel is rotated, means to direct a portion of the air passing through'said fly-wheel across the working area of said machine, and means to direct another portion of the air passing through said fly-wheel towards the operator of said machine.

4. In a machine for performing an operation upon an article, a rotatable shaft for driving said machine, a fly-wheel mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith, means cooperating with said fly-wheel for causing a current of v air to pass through said fly-wheel when said fly-wheel is rotated, means to direct a portion of the air passing through said fly-wheel across the working area of said machine, means to direct another'portion of the air passing through said fly-wheel towards the operator of said machine, and means forcontrolling the amount of air directed towards said operator. 7

In a machine for performing an operation upon an article, a rotatable shaft for driving said machine, a fly-wheel mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith, a disc positioned in close proximity to one side of said fly-wheel but out of contact therewith, said disc having sufllclent diarne eter to gubstantially prevent the passage of air around the edge of said flywheel, means to mount said disc rigidly upon a stationary portion of said machine, said disc having an opening therein, and

means on said fly-wheel for causing a current of air to pass through said opening when said flywheel is rotated.

6. In a machine for performing an operation upon an article, a rotatable shaft associated with the driving mechanism of said machine, a flywheel mounted upon said shaft for rotation there with, means to cause a current of' air to pass through said fly-wheel when said fly-wheel is rotated, a disc positioned in close proximity to said fly-wheel but out of contact therewith, said disc having sufficient diameter to substantially prevent the passage of air around the edge of said flywheel, said disc having an opening through which the air passing through said fly-wheel must pass, and means to control the size of said 'opening.

7. In a machine for performing an operation upon an article, a rotatable shaft associated with the driving mechanism of said machine, a flywheel mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith, a disc positioned in close proximity to one side of said fiy-wheel but out of contact therewith, said disc having suflicient diameter to substantially prevent .the' passage of air around the edge of said flywheel, means to mount said disc rigidly upon a stationary portion of said of saidmachine.

8. In a machine for performing an operation upon an article, a rotatable shaft associated with the driving mechanism of said machine, a flywheel mounted upon said shaft for rotation there- "with, a disc positioned in close proximity to one side of said fly-wheel but out of contact therewith, means to mount said disc rigidly upon a stationary portion of said machine, said disc having an opening therein, means on said fly-wheel for caus-v ing a current of air to pass through said opening, when said fly-wheel is rotated, said disc having a second opening therein through which a portion of the air passing through said fly-wheel passes, and means to direct theair passing through one of said openings across the working area of said machine. 7

9 In a machine for performing an operation upon an article, a rotatable shaft associated with the driving mechanism of said machine, a fly wheel mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith, means tocause a current of air to pass through said fly-wheel when said fly-wheel is rotated, a disc positioned in close proximity to said flyawheel but out of contact therewith, said disc having an opening through which the air passing through said fly-wheel must pass, means to control the size of said opening, said disc having a second opening therein through which a portion of the air passing through said fly-wheel passes, and means to direct the air passing through one of. said openings across the working area of said machine. v

10. In a machine for performing anoperation upon an article, a rotatable shaft for driving said machine, a fly-wheel mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith, a disc positioned in close proximity to one side of said fiy-wheel but out of contact therewith, means to mount said disc rigidly ily-whcel for-causing a current of air to pass through said opening when saidlfly-wheel is rotated, and a tubular member having one end against said disc and surrounding said opening and the other adjacent the working area machine.

11. In a machine for performing an operation of said upon an article, a rotatable shaft associated with the driving mechanism of said machine, a.fly-' wheel mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith, means to cause a current of air to pass through said fly-wheel when said fly-wheel is rotated, a disc positioned in close proximity to said fly-wheel but out of contact therewith, said disc havingsuflicient diameter to substantially prevent the passage of air around the edge of said flywheel, said disc having an opening through which the air passingthrough said fly-wheel must a pass, and means tocontrol the size of said opening, said means comprising a ,shutter slidably mounted on said disc to adjustably cover said opening. a

12. In a machine for performing an operation upon an article, a rotatable shaft associated with the driving mechanism of said machine, a flywheel mounted upon said shaft for rotation therewith, means to cause a current of air to pass through said fly-wheel when said fly-wheel is rotated, a disc positioned in close proximity to a second opening therein through which a portion of the air passing through said fly-wheel passes,

and means .to direct the air passing through one a of said openings across the working area of said machine.

13. An attachment for a sewing machine comprising a replacement fly-wheel containing air vanes for causing air to pass through said flywheel when said fly-wheel is rotated and adapted to be attached to the sewing machine in place of the fly-wheel supplied therewith, a member adapted to be positioned in close proximity to said I fly-whael but out of contact therewith, said member-havingan opening therein, means to lead the air passing through both said fiy-wheel and said opening to the working surface or said machine, means to'mount said member and said means in rigid position upon said machine. said member having a second opening therein, and means to control the amount of airpassing through said second opening.

14. An attachment ior a machine com- 5 prising a replacement il -wheel containing air vanes for causing air to pass through said flywheel-when said flywheel is rotated and adapted to be attached to the sewing machine in place or the fly-wheel supplied therewith, a member 10 adapted to be positioned in close proximity to said ily-wheel but out of contact therewith said member having an opening therein, means to lead the air passing through both said fly-wheel and said opening to the working surface of said machine, 15

means to mount said member and said means in rigid position upon said machine, said member having a second opening therein, and means to control the amount of air passing through said second opening, said means comprising a. shutter 00 adjustably mounted to cover said second opening,

JOHN W. CALLAGHAN. 

